Mama Bea's Big Burgers Inc. of Little Rock is moving its headquarters to Dallas to partner with Innovative Franchise Systems of New York and begin offering Mama Bea's franchises.
The Byrd family is moving to Dallas to open a restaurant as a prototype, then train a group of franchisees opening another restaurant in Savannah, Ga.
“We’ll hold their hands for a good while,” said B. J. Anderson, marketing and franchise systems development director, adding that it’s their family’s reputation at stake.
Anderson would not disclose the franchise fee. He said it would depend on the area in which the restaurant will operate.
The Byrds said they want to open in Arlington. The family said it is considering locations near the new Dallas Cowboy’s stadium, scheduled for completion in 2009, and in a strip mall in south Arlington.
The old-fashioned burger joint migrated a few years ago from its first location at the intersection of Kanis and Shakleford roads to a larger one at University Avenue and 12th Street.